The price will be $25,000 for the head of a family and $2,000 each for immediate family members.

This is considered remarkably low by some Government officials here, but necessarily so because of the depths of the country's troubles with guerrilla violence, poverty, recession and, most recently, an army prone to sending tanks into the street in a show of force.

"Peru needs investment from abroad, and there are a lot of people in Hong Kong and other Asian countries looking for higher profitability," said Victor Joy Way, a member of the Peruvian Congress and promoter of the plan. "In the case of people from Hong Kong, they have the added concern of their uncertain relationship with China, and are looking for an extra measure of security against future events. That is what we are offering." 'Cheapens Our Pride'

Many Peruvians, whose self-images have been beaten down over the last year, say the merchandising of the Peruvian passport is another blow.

"I know we are having problems, but you feel that this cheapens our pride, putting a price tag on the right to be a Peruvian," said a former senior diplomat who insisted on anonymity. "It's auctioning our nationality to whatever price the market brings. It's very sad."

Under the project promoted by President Alberto K. Fujimori, the Constitution was amended in April to allow exemptions to a law requiring that foreigners live two years in Peru before they can become naturalized citizens.

Now Hong Kong Chinese, for example, who put down $25,000 and pass a screening test by the Peruvian consul there can receive citizenship and a passport without ever setting foot in Peru. They would have voting rights and be taxed under Peruvian law. The Government says it is looking for those with at least $100,000 to invest in Peru, although no firm commitment to invest is required.

Government officials say they need to offer full citizenship because of Peru's history of nationalizing foreign companies or requiring that any company operated by a foreign investor be 51 percent owned by a Peruvian. A Need for Incentives

Though the plan has been roundly criticized by opponents of the Fujimori Government, it reflects Peru's desperate need for some of the tens of billions of foreign investment dollars that have poured into Latin America in the last three years.

Peruvians are well aware that Japanese, Chinese and Koreans are increasing investments in Mexico, Chile, Venezuela and Argentina. And as any free-market economist will point out, Peru needs to offer market incentives -- like citizenship -- to compete.

"Hey, we are a poor country, so the price of our citizenship would not be as high as in the United States or Chile," said Enrique Chirinos Soto, a member of the Peruvian Congress.

At the same time, other Latin American countries are developing programs to promote the immigration of Asian entrepreneurs, though none besides Peru are selling passports.

In Argentina, the Government gives investors permanent residence status if they deposit $30,000 with the central bank for 120 days, an enticement that has been used widely by Koreans. U.S., Too, Has Inducement

In Chile, where foreigners have traditionally found it difficult to obtain a residence visa, the laws are opening to those with capital and with technical skills, like engineers. In Mexico, investors must invest $160,000 for permanent residence status and wait five years to apply for citizenship.

Even in industrialized countries immigration policies reflect a wish to attract capital. In Canada, permanent residence status can be had for bringing in $500,000 of capital, and the United States accepts foreigners as residents who bring $1 million with them.

Perhaps the two countries that have focused most on the needs of Hong Kong Chinese to find other places for their investments before the island is returned to China in 1997 are Taiwan and Singapore. In Taiwan, citizenship is granted three months after a Hong Kong Chinese buys property. Singapore grants permanent residence to anyone from Hong Kong investing $500,000, and then considers citizenship after five years.

The Peruvian program has generated intense controversy. Several news weeklies have asserted that a Hong Kong-based company, Blooming Strong Development Ltd., has an exclusive contract with the Government to sell the citizenships and passports and that Mr. Joy Way has a financial interest in Blooming. Mr. Joy Way denies having any connection.

The weeklies have also charged that a number of visiting Hong Kong Chinese who have been wined and dined by President Fujimori and have said they plan to invest large amounts here have shady, if not criminal, backgrounds.

"Selling citizenship will only bring the wrong people," said Fernando Olivera, a member of Congress and the chief opponent of the plan. "Real businesses will invest here because there are profits to be made, and they don't need a passport for that. What you need is the right business climate."